Up Front and Down Low

Teddy Thompson

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 17, 2007)
• Original Release Date: July 24, 2007
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Verve Forecast
• ASIN: B000QXDCI8
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #5,426 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Yes, Teddy Thompson's parents are renowned folkies Richard and Linda Thompson. And, sure, he's spent the past few years touring the world with his good friend Rufus Wainwright, who recently wrote a song about their inimitable relationship called "Nobody's off the Hook." But it's Thompson's rich, twangy voice that deserves the spotlight. After turning out two thoroughly underappreciated albums of original material--it would be pushing it to even call them cult favorites--the lovelorn singer-songwriter takes on a dozen classic country tunes on Up Front and Down Low. It's a good fit, the bitter sentiments the inform his own work paired with the sterling melodies of Ernest Tubb's "Walking the Floor Over You" and Elvis Presley's "I'm Left, You're Right, She's Gone." Thompson gives each of the tunes a masterful makeover, polishing them up with an all-star cast of players that includes Iris DeMent, Tift Merritt, and Marc Ribot. Wainwright offers string his own "Down Low" into the mix without breaking the mood. It's the kind of stuff that could represent a breakthrough moment, as long as nobody gets distracted by the fact that he was born and raised in a Sufi commune. --Aidin Vaziri

Product Description
Teddy Thompson's self-produced Upfront & Down Low features his angelic voice in distinctive and heartfelt readings of beloved country classics: George Jones' "She Thinks I Still Care" Ernest Tubb's "Walking the Floor over You" and Merle Haggard's "My Friends Are Gonna Be) Strangers." It also includes Dolly Parton's bittersweet "My Blue Tears" and the Elvis Presley chesnut "I'm Left, You're Right, She's Gone."

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absurdly great, October 26, 2007

By	Daniel Gunter (Seattle, WA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I bought this after hearing it in one of Amazon's brick-and-mortar competitors. I didn't know who Teddy Thompson was when I heard it. I only knew that it sounded incredible.

I was born in 1957 on a cotton farm. My parents were sharecroppers. Hank Williams and Ray Charles were the soundtrack of my childhood.

It is amazing to me that this young Brit has released a CD that my mother would have loved (had she lived to hear it). Thompson has chosen great songs, and he has a great voice. He doesn't sound like someone trying to sound "southern"--but he sounds reasonably "southern." His voice is rich and resonant, and he does not have to resort to tricks: no melisma, no shouting, no growling. The arrangements are tasteful: everything is done well, and nothing is overdone.

I have been listening to this CD for a couple of months. It keeps getting better. I urge you to try it. If you're a fan of good country music (Hank Williams, Patsy Cline, Bill Monroe), I think that you'll be impressed. If you're not already a fan of country, I think that this CD will open a door to a wonderful world.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Not a huge country fan but this is GREAT, August 23, 2007

By	M. Oglesby (Bluffton, SC) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I heard a review of this CD on NPR and was really intrigued. I'm not a huge country music fan but this is a terrific CD. I can't even say that it's more folksy or anything. It's just good, old-fashioned country music. Not flashy or twangy. My only criticism might be that almost all of the songs are VERY mellow. The couple of upbeat ones are my favorites but all are very fine.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfectly Magical, September 2, 2007

By	HUGO (HOUSTON, TEXAS United States) - See all my reviews

TEDDY THOMPSON can sing whatever he pleases - I'm all ears for his big beautiful, expressive voice! Teddy is a genuine rarity and one of the finest singers to come along in quite some time. A haunting vocalist you yearn to hear more and more of. Universally appealing singer's singer and musician's musician. His rich vocal range soars magnificently from gorgeous baritone lows to compelling tenor highs. Like that melodic lonely howl of a wolf in the moonlit darkness of night, Thompson's singing stirs, haunts your ears and soul with his well chosen material and original compositions...he leaves you yearning for more. Unforgettable. Linda & Richard blessed us with an angel to sing for us here on Earth. His music surpasses even their finest moments on wax-vinyl-plastic; etc. I've got all three official Teddy Thompson cd-albums, and I highly recommend each one. He moves effortlessly from folk to rock to country, everything in between and beyond with his soulful singing voice. Teddy Thompson deserves to be a superstar.